Hook

Having already voyaged to the SNES, Sega CD, and Game Gear, Hook finally soars to the Genesis. Gamers who have already played the other Hooks may suffer from serious deja vu, but newcomers will be totally enthralled by this complex, well-rendered swashbuckler.

Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Pirate's Life's For Me

Hook faithfully follows the movie's story line, which itself adapted the classic children's tale, Peter Pan. You are Peter Banning -- a mid-30's yuppie who must remember that he's really the grown-up Peter Pan. Banning's mission, spread over 11 challenging levels, is to return to Neverland to rescue his two children, who have been abducted by Captain Hook.

But first Peter must regain his Golden Sword from a band of Lost Boys, and then he must travel throughout various regions of Neverland, such as the Forest, Lagoons, and Pirate Town. If he survives, he faces a final showdown with Hook aboard his ship. Fortunately, the controls are smooth, and your Pan responds easily to each challenge.

ProTips:

• Attack Rufio from behind. Leap over his attack and strike him three times to regain your Golden Sword.
• Most enemies attack in preset patterns. These Forest bowmen shoot their arrows in sets of three.

The wide assortment of scenarios and challenges keeps the game play interesting. Peter's moves include running, leaping, sword-fighting, and flying. There's also a bevy of hidden items, power-ups, and 1-Ups scattered throughout Neverland.

Pan-oramic

The Genesis Hook is almost as visually rich as its predecessors. Multi-scrolling backgrounds plus a full maximization of the Genesis's color palette make this game a sight to behold! The characters are large and smoothly animated, and Peter Pan moves fluidly. The only visual difference is that the Genesis's images are a little less crisp than those on the SNES.

This version also doesn't sport the Sega CD's fully digitized animated opening sequence. Although neither of these points detract from the overall enjoyment of the game, they lower the graphics rating a tad.

Why fight when you can fly? Discretion is always the better part of valor, especially when you only have a handful of life unites.

There's a noticeable difference between the sound quality of the Genesis version and the Sega CD and the SNES versions. Obviously, the CD has the advantage of its vast capacity for fully digitized music, voices, and sound effects. Compared to the SNES, though, the Genesis version's music and sounds are not as clear. Even so, this is still a first-class soundtrack.

Stay In the bottom left-hand comer and let the Forest Boss come toward you with his attack. Leap and crouch around his advances.

Pan-Tastic!

Despite the fact that this Hook doesn't look or sound quite as good as its predecessors, it's just as fun to play. If you've played Hook before, you won't find many surprises. Newcomers, though, will be enthralled by the graphics, game play, and challenge. Get Hook-ed!

Looks like Peter Pan couldn't avoid growing up, after all -- at least not in Hook, an NES game based on Disney's big holiday movie. Old Captain Hook's come back for revenge -- he's whisked Pan's children back to Neverland.

Pan needs help, but his old pals, the Lost Boys, are having a tough time believing he's really Peter Pan. In order to prove himself, Pan must jump, fly, hack and slash his way through treacherous Neverland to find four items: a Sword, an Alarm Clock, a Crocodile's Tooth, and his old toy Horn.

Armed with a tiny sword, Pan takes off on a 16-level, multi-scrolling search through Neveriand's forests, lagoons, and more. He also tackles two Sub Areas: one where he flies through an obstacle course and crosses swords with his old pal, Rufio.

Although Hook sports bold, crisp, colorful graphics, tolerable music, and moderate challenge level, there's a troubling flaw – game-play. Pan can jump high and survive long falls -- a big plus. However, his limited range of sword swinging motion and lethargic forward movement make game-play a bit of a drag. If you're a big Pan fan (and we mean really "big"), this video jaunt to Neverland may be worth the trip.

Even before Hook had started, Ocean's film conversion had earned a warm spot in my otherwise cold and stony heart. Upon typing install I was presented with one of the most pleasant installation procedures I've had to witness. Lovely, wispy music playing softly in the background while it asked me the simple setup questions and decompressed the files. Charming, simply charming. More music on install programs please Mr Collective Programmers.

Sadly this love affair was all too brief and petered into little more than a one night stand once the game itself got going. For one thing it kept cutting out my mouse. Not straight away, mind you, oh no. It would sneak up on me. let me play happily away for ten or 15 minutes then wham! it would pretend it had never heard of a mouse before and throw me into keyboard control with no hope of return.

Neither is it the most user-friendly of adventures. The control interface is just tiresomely fiddly: right-clicking over an object doesn't highlight the most appropriate verb to use as any decent adventure game would do. No, right-clicking in Hook highlights the last verb used, which just serves to annoy when you're trying to 'Get' something and the last verb was Talk To. This may sound like nit-picking but it really is annoying, believe me. A friendly interface is paramount to a successful adventure. Just ask LucasArts. It doesn't even have a Quit option and it disables the ctrl-alt-del reset! The only way I could get out of the game was to turn the computer off whilst the program was running! Ocean should not only be thoroughly ashamed of this, they should take their quality control department outside and shoot them all, dead.

One final thing (just before I go). It's not exactly the most gripping tale ever told. The film had great acting talent, marvellous sets and special effects, it just had the most stupifyingly dull story to tell - hence it failed. So, too. does the game by trying to tell that self same story. It has none of the ingenuity seen in the Indy games-of-the-films and none of the same sense of atmosphere. There are plenty of better adventures to get lost in, Hook being the one they all laugh at and leave off their party invitations.

The mysterious Hook has kidnapped Peter Banning's children. After becoming Peter Pan, he must set out on twelve levels of excitement to rescue his kids and stop Hook forever.

Hook for the Sega CD combines the brilliant action and graphics of the 16-Bit game with digitized scenes from the movie. CD-quality sound adds to the suspense of this thriller.

Face hordes of pirates throughout the colorful lands. Power-ups are readily available such as swords, leaves, and the all-important pixie dust that allows flight.

If you are looking for more in your action titles, take part in the adventure fantasy of a lifetime. You'll be hooked for sure!

"Can you fight, fly, and even crow?"

Nevernever Land is under control of Captain Hook! Thus, get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. You need to rescue your daughter and son, defeat Hook and, most importantly, have lots of fun, no you can never grow up again!

The plot of the game is straight from the movie. Everything from flying to new heights, to battling pirates, to proving your worthiness to the lost boys is here! Be prepared, Nevernever Land is larger than you think! Ten vast levels of pirate infested challenges await you!

Level one is where Peter Pan first learns how to fly! However, the Lost Boys do not believe that he is Peter Pan, so they put him to the test! Peter faces the boys in their own territory, though, where their imagination controls all, including the weather. To get your sword, you will need to battle Rufus. He is waiting for you at the end and he has one mean, jealous attitude!

You will next enter the forest just outside the lair of the Lost Boys. Be careful because the pirates are hidden everywhere! Some will be behind bushes, but most of them will be waiting in the trees! You will then need to soar through the trees and swat them out! Think that is easy? Well, Hook's money grubbing assistant is ready with loaded boxing gloves for you!

"Head for the hills!" Next, you need to battle through the cliff edges and battle the seafaring lackeys of Hook. Also, some savage plants will be strategically located all over the place! You will need to figure out which way is the safest route. In addition, there are times that you will need to fly in order to reach certain places! It is a good thing that there is no boss.

Once on the mountains, your main goal is to soar through the range and try to avoid, or defeat, all of the pirate foes and fire-breathing leopards (I thought the pirates had no imagination) that stand in your way! As you get to the end of the stage, a floating mini-pirate ship stands in your way! He will always be airborne, so make sure to keep going back to Tink!

The ice caverns will have you slipping and sliding all over while you are trying to find out where to go. As always, there are plenty of dangers that are scattered throughout this level such as bats that soar through the dark winds, dragons hidden in the walls, ice snakes and even piranha swimming in the icy, blue waters! There is a whole lot more, so explore to your heart's content!

Get Hooked!

You've just boarded Hook's ship. Your blood is pumping and a chill races down your spine. You're about to do battle with the most infamous pirate of them all, Captain Hook, the fiend who's kidnapped your children and sworn never to let them go. Suddenly Hook spots you and in one leap is at your throat. But with a quick spin you take flight over the sail and with a single thrust almost pin him to the mast. As Peter Pan, this is the fight of your life. Everything that came before - your duel with Rufio, your dive to the ship wreck, even your battles against the pirates and creatures of Neverland - are nothing compared to this moment. Hook, the video game. Multiple levels of incredible excitement. Fantastic graphics. Available now for NES and GameBoy. Get Hook. Before Hook gets you!

Check out what they're saying about the incredible new Super NES version or Hook.

"...one of the hottest action games I have ever played. The music is absolutely beautiful and the graphics are top-notch. "- Super NES Buyer's Guide

"Hook is intelligently made from start to finish. Its execution is excellent. " - Game Players Nintendo Guide

"Hook's multilayered, smoothly scrolling visuals inspire comparisons to Super NES legends, such as Actraiser and Super Castlevania IV. The music is so good, you'll want to crack open the cart and see if there's a Compact Disc inside! Five-star game play. Hook succeeds in every way. "- GamePro

Hook. The ultimate adventure for your Super NES. You'll be Hooked too!

Play the role of Peter Pan in this Nintendo game based on the movie of the same name. Fight in duels with Captain Hook's henchmen and follow the map of NeverLand to stop the treacherous Hook from learning of it's secrets. Battle with Hook himself and declare NeverLand safe again. But be careful, as Captain Hook has some of his own tricks up his sleeve. You might end up walking the plank!

Sony Imagesoft is going to create a video game around the upcoming movie. Little was available for review at the CES but Hook is expected to be a side scrolling action game.

Peter Pan's lifelong ambition was to never grow up, but the unthinkable has happened. Peter Pan is now Peter Banning, an aging, overweight adult who never in his wildest dreams envisioned a return to the magnificent playground of his youth, Neverland.

However, Captain James Hook, bitter ever since Pan sliced off his hand and fed it to a crocodile, won't let bygones be bygones. He abducts Peter's young children, Jack and Maggie, and whisks them to Neverland. Peter Banning can't, or won't, remember his days as Pan, leader of the daring Lost Boys. So, Tinkerbell works her pixie dust magic and flies off with Peter to jog his memory.

Silver Screen Gaming

Sony Imagesoft recreates Tri-Star's modern-day Peter Pan story, Hook, in a game. You won't see the big name stars in this game, but many of the film's characters reprise their roles in this 16-bit fairy tale. Cinema scenes tell the beginning and ending of the SNES story, and Pan fills in the rest during a solo swashbuckling crusade to save his children. Rufio, Thudbutt, the Lost Boys, the mermaids, and Tink lend a hand.

On the Wings of Pixie Dust

The greatest adventure for Peter Banning the attorney is fighting traffic to and from work every day. To rescue his kids from Hook's clutches, he must regain his true Pan identity and utilize his athletic sword fighting and graceful flying skills.

Peter's swift and skillful moves are potent and easy to control. He pumps his arms during a run and soars like a hawk when he leaps into the air. Holding the jump button makes him glide to the ground. Pan can swing his enchanted dagger or golden sword quickly and accurately. He swims in the sea, sometimes accompanied by mermaids. And yes, he can fly, he can fly, he can fly! Tink's pixie dust charges his flight meter, and a double tap of the jump button clears him for takeoff. In the air, he can accelerate, swoop, and dive with the greatest of ease.

A Pirate's Life in Neverland

Peter crosses swords with pirates, skeletons, archers, and Neverland's wildlife in 12 exciting, side-view stages of slashing thrills and spills. A finely-crafted, scrolling map pinpoints Pan's location, but he must take the stages in order.

First Pan duels with Rufio and the Lost Boys in the Nevertree to prove his worth to his former comrades. Defeat Rufio and Peter win back their loyalty, along with his long-range, deadly golden sword. If Peter's hit, he loses the sword, and he must find it elsewhere in Neverland.

His true identity established, Peter battles though 11 more levels before tackling the ol' codfish himself, Captain Hook. Other areas include two forest regions, the Rocky Mountains, two caves, a Lagoon, and the Pirate Town. Hidden along the trail are helpful items, such as Pirate Treasure worth points, extra lives, Fruits to restore lost energy, and Leaves to boost his maximum power.

When the game's over, neverending continues are balanced by the loss of Pan's Power Leaves. Out dueling Captain Hook is a day's journey for skilled gamers, but novice to mid-level players have their work cut out for them.

Masterful Graphics and Music

Hook's multi-layered, smoothly scrolling visuals inspire comparisons to Super NES legends, such as Actraiser and Super Castlevania IV. Peter wears his trademark green garb. His hair and outfit ruffle in the breeze -- a wonderful effect. Look for nice graphic touches, such as tinkling waterfalls, snowy mountainsides, and even the parchment scoreboard display. Only the average cinemas aren't eye-popping, but they spin the tale well.

While Hook's graphics are a treat, its music defines the Super NES system's potential for superb sound quality. The authentic audio pipes out a flawless rendition of John Williams' movie soundtrack, with all-new tunes.

The Adventure Continues!

Hook is Sony Imagesoft's first game developed in-house. It's a triumph for the production studios who collaborated to create the game. For years, software publishers have sought to bring together the story and atmosphere of a movie, while maintaining five-star game play standards. Hook succeeds in every way!

Despite a low-impact challenge level, fly with Peter Pan. You'll learn why no one would ever willingly leave Neverland.

In this gorgeous side-scrolling action/adventure, you hop into the tights of Peter Pan and set out to tackle 11 levels of jumping, flying, hack 'n' slashing fun.

The movie everyone's talking about this holiday season is already on its way to three different video game formats. The first two Hook titles coming your way are for the NES and the Game Boy. In both versions the gameplay follows the plot of the movie -- Peter Pan is all grown up and doesn't remember being Peter Pan until one day Captain Hook kidnaps Peter's children. With a little help from Grandma Wendy and the ever-faithful, ever-flighty Tinkerbell, Peter becomes Peter Pan once again to rescue his own lost kids from a vengeful Captain Hook.

It's Three, Three, Three Games in One

The basic gameplay itself is horizontally and vertically scrolling action/adventure style. Peter Pan teams up with Tink and must search different areas of Never Never Land in order to discover where his children are being held hostage. In each area of Never Never Land he visits he searches for special items that enable him to clear that area and build his strength for the final battle with Hook. In addition to the regular gameplay this game also features two other styles of play. In 3-D flying sequences Pan tries to grab marbles ("happy thoughts") in order to keep aloft, while at the same time dodging nasty clouds and booby-trapped dynamite balloons sent up by Hook. In the battle scenes Peter goes head-to-head with an enemy such as Rufio, leader of the Lost Boys, to win a special item.

Join Peter Pan, Tinker Belle, and Hook, the one-eyed pirate himself, in a swash-buckling adventure based on the Spielberg movie due out this Christmas.

Published by Sony Imagesoft and developed by Painting by Numbers, Ltd., this video game was released in 1992.

In the movie Hook by Steven Spielberg, you play the grown-up Peter Pan (Banning) whose children have been kidnapped by Captain Hook. Tinker Bell brings you back to Neverland, there you have to turn out to be Pan again to find and get your children back home.

This very interpretation is a side-scrolling action game, where you have to hack your way past Hook's denizens throughout 11 levels. These levels have forests, icy regions and towns, and Peter will have to jump and swim through. For special powers, he can gather magic items, such as apples and pixie dust. When you attack enemies, they just put their hands up in order to surrender. In the game they do not die, making the game more child-friendly.

Put on your pointy ears and fill up on fairy dust..you're about to take a trip to Never Land! In Hook from Sony Image-soft, Peter Pan's children (yes, he finally grew up) have been kidnapped. To rescue them he must return to Never Land and will himself to become the boy he once was. But be forewarned, Captain Hook is waiting.

In this horizontally scrolling action/adven-ture game, you, as Pan, begin your quest peering at a vast, scrolling map of Never Land. Using your trusty compass, you plot a course to each of the 27 levels. You trek underground and through forests and snow, and you fly high above Never Land. The journey also puts you through rigorous pirate ship levels, which rock back and forth for that authentic seasick sensation. If you're not careful, you might get lost in the gigantic Never Tree Level, hideout of Pan's childhood friends, the Lost Boys.

Armed with a short sword, you search each level for a required number of Apples, Coins, Pearls, and other goodies. Enemies abound and they're ready and waiting to make mince meat out of Pan. Fortunately, you're loaded with four Lives and three Continues.

Hook showcases an enticing musical repertoire and superbly detailed graphics, although they are tiny and a bit eye straining. Overall, this is a fun Game Boy cart, for polished pirate-bashers and novices alike. You'll be "hooked" by Hook.